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We Danced
We Danced is a devastating memoir about love, illness, and the unthinkable pain of loss, told with searing honesty by Canadian writer Wade Myall.
Wade wasn’t looking for love when he first saw Rita behind the counter of a downtown Winnipeg coffee shop. He was a single father, quietly surviving the aftermath of a failed marriage and the painful distance from his daughter. His life had narrowed into duty and quiet despair. But Rita, bright, kind, and honest, changed everything. What began as a slow and gentle friendship blossomed into a profound love story that would reshape Wade’s life.
Together, Wade and Rita built a blended family filled with warmth, laughter, and the quiet rituals that make up a life. Weekend breakfasts, family road trips, whispered late-night conversations. Their connection was electric and deeply intimate, grounded in compassion, sensuality, and an unshakeable loyalty. Rita, who lived with schizophrenia, met life with courage, humour, and an open heart. Wade embraced her with unwavering acceptance. Their love was a refuge for both of them.
As the years passed, they created a life of deep meaning and quiet joy. They traveled through Europe, got married at Niagara Falls, and learned how to live, even in life’s ordinary moments. But in the summer of 2015, a shadow fell. Rita was suddenly plagued with crippling headaches and strange symptoms no doctor could explain. What began as quiet concern soon gave way to fear, and then to devastation when it was discovered she had terminal cancer.
Told in a voice that is both personal and relatable, We Danced is a story of what it means to love someone so completely that your very sense of self is bound to theirs. It is about building a life together, brick by brick, and what happens when that life is threatened by forces beyond your control. As Rita’s illness worsens, Wade faces the impossible task of holding her, and himself, together. His grief is not tidy or inspirational. It is raw. It is real. And it is unforgettable.
More than just a memoir of loss, We Danced is a love story in the purest sense. It’s a testament to the extraordinary bond between two people, and the ache of having to say goodbye. For anyone who has loved, and lost the person who made the world feel like home, this book will break your heart and give you something to hold on to.
Wade wasn’t looking for love when he first saw Rita behind the counter of a downtown Winnipeg coffee shop. He was a single father, quietly surviving the aftermath of a failed marriage and the painful distance from his daughter. His life had narrowed into duty and quiet despair. But Rita, bright, kind, and honest, changed everything. What began as a slow and gentle friendship blossomed into a profound love story that would reshape Wade’s life.
Together, Wade and Rita built a blended family filled with warmth, laughter, and the quiet rituals that make up a life. Weekend breakfasts, family road trips, whispered late-night conversations. Their connection was electric and deeply intimate, grounded in compassion, sensuality, and an unshakeable loyalty. Rita, who lived with schizophrenia, met life with courage, humour, and an open heart. Wade embraced her with unwavering acceptance. Their love was a refuge for both of them.
As the years passed, they created a life of deep meaning and quiet joy. They traveled through Europe, got married at Niagara Falls, and learned how to live, even in life’s ordinary moments. But in the summer of 2015, a shadow fell. Rita was suddenly plagued with crippling headaches and strange symptoms no doctor could explain. What began as quiet concern soon gave way to fear, and then to devastation when it was discovered she had terminal cancer.
Told in a voice that is both personal and relatable, We Danced is a story of what it means to love someone so completely that your very sense of self is bound to theirs. It is about building a life together, brick by brick, and what happens when that life is threatened by forces beyond your control. As Rita’s illness worsens, Wade faces the impossible task of holding her, and himself, together. His grief is not tidy or inspirational. It is raw. It is real. And it is unforgettable.
More than just a memoir of loss, We Danced is a love story in the purest sense. It’s a testament to the extraordinary bond between two people, and the ache of having to say goodbye. For anyone who has loved, and lost the person who made the world feel like home, this book will break your heart and give you something to hold on to.
Kindle Edition
Published August 31, 2025
2 people want to read
About the author
Wade Myall
1 book2 followersWade Myall is a Canadian writer living in Ottawa. His debut memoir, We Danced, is a deeply personal story of love, loss, and grief, written with unflinching honesty and lyrical beauty. Known for bringing a vulnerable male voice to literary memoir, he explores the intensity of romantic love and the shattering impact of losing the person who meant everything. When he isn’t writing, Wade enjoys reflecting on art, travel, and the quiet moments that shape a life. He is currently working on a series of personal essays about love beyond death.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 17, 2025
So sad yet so beautiful. Rita seemed like such a lovely woman that I wish I could have met. I can't say I enjoyed the book, given the substance, but I'm glad I read it and got to learn about Wade & Rita's story.
September 12, 2025
This book truly hit close to home for me — I found myself crying so many times while reading it. Rita was such a beautiful and strong soul, and the way Wade wrote her story made it feel like she was right here with us again. This isn’t just a book, it’s a gift to anyone who is grieving, healing, coping, or simply loves a beautifully told love story. I can’t recommend it enough.
October 23, 2025
We Danced is one of the most beautiful and heartbreaking memoirs I’ve ever read. Wade Myall’s writing is raw, tender, and deeply human. The way he captures love, real love, not the fairytale kind, made me both smile and cry. His honesty about Rita’s illness and his grief is gut wrenching but also incredibly moving. This book reminded me how fragile and precious life is. Absolutely unforgettable.
October 27, 2025
Love in its purest form
I was completely unprepared for how emotional this story would be. Wade and Rita’s bond feels so genuine, so alive, that you can’t help but root for them. The way Wade writes about Rita, her courage, her humour, her illness, is tender and respectful. This book reminded me why love, even when it ends in loss, is still the greatest gift.
I was completely unprepared for how emotional this story would be. Wade and Rita’s bond feels so genuine, so alive, that you can’t help but root for them. The way Wade writes about Rita, her courage, her humour, her illness, is tender and respectful. This book reminded me why love, even when it ends in loss, is still the greatest gift.
September 3, 2025
Such a beautiful emotional story of love and loss. This story captures not only the milestones of a life shared but also the quiet everyday moments that make love so unforgettable. This story shows that while grief never truly leaves us neither does the love we carry.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews